Steam generator



Dec.` 14, 1943. J. P. BADENHAUSEN STEAM GENERATOR Filed NOV. `l, 1941 Patented ec. i4, 1943 ro stars raar ortica K GENERATOR y .ohn Phillips Badenhauscn, Philadelphia., Pa. Application November 1, 1941, Serial No. 417,459

7 Claims.

This invention relates to steam generators, and more particularly to a steam generator in which steam at high pressure and temperature is utilized for generating steam at a lower temperature and pressure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam generator, of the character aforesaid, in which adequate provision is made for superheating the steam generated therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steam generator, of the character aforesaid, in which the parts subjected to high pressure will require a minimum of material while retaining adequate strength.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steam generator, of the character aforesaid, in which the heating fluid at high pressure and the heated liuid at a lower pressure are kept separated so that contamination of the high pressure fluid is avoided.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a steam generator, of the character aforesaid, with adequate provision for expansion and contraction of the parts thereof upon changes in temperature.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the annexed specification and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical central sectional View through a preferred embodiment of the steam generator of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view takenfapproximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, somewhat enlarger ,.of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, somewhat enlarged, taken approximately on the line (-ii of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a, modi v iied form of the invention.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawing herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, an outer casing II) is provided, preferably having an outer side wall II, cylindrical in horizontal cross section, and dished upper and lower ends I2 and I3. The upper end I2 of the casing I0 is preferably provided with a plurality of manholes I4 for access to the interior.

Within the casing IIJ, an inner high pressure compartment I 5 is provided, movable with respect to the casing IB as hereinafter pointed out. The inner compartment I 5 has an upper horizontal closure wall I6, consisting of a tube sheet, and spaced from the upper tube sheet and parallel thereto, a lower horizontal closure wall I'I, consistingof a tube sheet. A cylindrical wall I8 extends between the tube sheet IS and the tube sheet I1. and is disposed inwardly from the outer side wall II to provide a downow space for the low pressure fluid. The upper wall I6 and the lower wall Il are respectively secured in duidtight relationship at their peripheries to the cylindrical wall I3.

A central conduit 20 is provided, in communication with the interior of the compartment I5. The conduit 2n is secured to the lower dished end I3 of the casing IIJ inv fluid-tight relationship for supporting the compartmentl I5 and extends upwardly through the lower tube sheet I1 to which it is also secured in duid-tight relationship. The upper end of the conduit 2l) is spaced downwardlvfrom the upperV tube sheet I6 for per- :pitting `high pressure iiuid now into the interior space within the compartment I5.

A downward extension ZI, having an inlet connection 22 is secured to the lower dished end I3 of the casing Ill and is preferably cylindrical to provide a iiuid chamber 23 for the introduction of high pressure fiuid. The lower end of the chamber 23 is closed by a small tube sheet 215., and a suitable flanged connector 25 is secured to the lower tube sheet 24 to provide a discharge connection for the low pressure iiuid. An inlet f connection 2S for the introduction of the low pressure uid is provided at the lower portion of the side wall I I of the casing Iii. A condensate discharge pipe 2'! is connected to the interior of the inner compartment I5, and extends to the exterior of the casing III for the discharge ci condensed high pressure fluid.

Between the upper tube sheet I 6 and the lower tube sheet I'I, and in the space between the fluid conduit 20 and the compartment wallIB a plurality of closely spaced and preferably staggered tubes 28 is provided. The tubes 28 are connected to the tube sheets I6 and I1 in huid-tight relationship, and the interiors of the tubes 28 are in communication with the space above the upper tube sheet I6 and the space below the lower tube sheet I'i. These tubes 28 which may be of the order of two and one-half inch tubes, provide riser tubes for generation of steam or other vapor in the low pressure iluid.

Between the upper tube sheet I6 and the lowermost tube sheet 24, and in the space within the conduit 2U, closely spaced and preferably staggered tubes 29 are connected to the tube sheets I6 and 24 in fluid-tight relationship, the

interiors of the tubes 29 being yin communication with a space 3|! above the upper tube sheet I6, which space 30 is in communication with a steam collecting'space 3l aty theupper part of the casing IQ. The interiors of the tubes 29 are also in communication with the connector below the lowermost tube sheet 24. The tubes 29 may be of the order of one inch tubes. A

The upper tube sheet I6 preferably has secured thereto in fluid-tight relationship an upwardly disposed tubular extension 32., which surrounds the space 30, and this extension 32 may be either circular, as shown irijligs.V 1, 2 and 5, or polygonal, as illustrated in Fig. 'lat 32a. 'The normal water level is approximately as indicated at 33, and the extension 32 prevents the flow cf water into the interior of the tubes 29. The inner ,compartment l5 is, preferably connected to the casing I3, in a manner to permit of a slight slidingpmovement vertically therein, and for this purpose, sockets 34 secured to ther vinner face ofthe wallll of the casing I0 may be Vprovided, and slides 35 carriedby the wall `[El are also pro-vided, and movable withinfthe sockets 34. The inner compartment l5 is supported by the fluid conduit 20 and guided by the slides 35 and sockets 34, and may thus accommodate itself to the required position within the casing I0, in accordance with temperature conditions, without imposing undue strains on the casing l0 or the compartment l5. t

The operation of the steam generator of the presentinvention will now be pointed out.

The water at low pressure is introduced through the low pressure inlet connection 25 into the space below the lower tube VsheetV l1, and passes upwardly within the interior of the tubes 28, wherein it is'heated and vaporized vinto steam. A downpass for the low pressure water isprovided between the wall i8 and the interior ofthe casing wall Il. The steam rises withinthe tubes and passes toward the upper part V3| of the casing l0.' The Vsteam in the uppermost part 3l of the casing Vlil passes downwardly through the tubular extension 32 Aand then within the'interiors of the tubes 29, wherein it is superheated. The superheated steam passesto the discharge connection 2b` from which it is conducted tothe place of use. The steam at high temperature and pressure which supplies the necessary heat and which may be at a pressure of the order of six hundred pounds per square inch, is introduced through the inlet connection 2,2 int@ the fluid chamber 23 within the downward extension 2|. This hghpressure fluid passes upwardly in counterflow and heat exchange relationship with the exteriorsjof the tubes 29 within the central conduit 23, thereby superheating the downilowing steam within the tubes 2,9, passes over the upper end of the conduit 23, and then downwardly in heat exchangerelationship with the exteriors of the tubes 28 extending between the upper tube sheet I6 and the lower tube sheet Il for heating the water within the interiors of the tubes 28 and generating steam within the tubes 28. The steam delivered from the steam generator may thus be superheated and delivered for process use at a pressure of the order of pounds per square inch. The high pressure iluid, in giving up its heat, is condensed, and the co-ndensate is discharged through the discharge pipe 21.

The steam generator of the present invention is particularly adapted for use with a closed high pressure circuit which includes a high pressure f steam generator from which steam is obtained for driving a turbine, and in which the high pressure steam, as delivered from the high pressure boiler, or as tapped from an intermediate stage of the turbine, is utilized as the supply of high pressure high temperature fluid for the lower pressure steam generator. The condensate in the high pressure circuit is then returned to the boiler rfor steam generation. In this manner, the water in the high pressure circuit, after initial treatment, is substantially free from scale forming properties, and may be continuously circulatedin the high pressure circuit without subsequent contamination. 'I'he low pressure steam, generated out of direct contact with the high pressure steam, is available in adequate quantities for plant use at the lower pressures required for process use, and in a superheated condition to meet the process demands.

' I claim:

l. In a steam generator, a casing having inlet and discharge connections for one uid medium,

saidcasing having a gaseous iiuid collecting space therein, a compartment within said casing having tube sheets at the ends thereof and an inclosing wall connecting said tube sheets, steam generating tubes connecting said sheets within said wallinlet and outlet connections for said compartment for the delivery of fluid heating medium intothe interior yof said compartment for contact with the exteriors of said tubes, the inlet connection for said compartment including a tubular member for supporting said compartment and extending inwardlytherein and in communication with the interior of said compartment, superheating tubes in said tubular member in com- Vmunication with said collecting space and said discharge connection for superheating the steam generated in said steam generating tubes.

2. In a steam generator, a cylindrical casing having inlet and discharge connections for one fluid medium and having a steam collecting space therein, a compartment within said casing hav- 1 ing tube sheets at the ends thereof and a wall vconnecting'said tube sheets, steam generating tubes Within said wall connecting said sheets, an inlet connection for said compartment for the delivery of fluid heating medium into the interior of said compartmentfor contact with the exteriors'of said tubes, said inlet connection including a tubular member extending inwardly and in communication with the interior of said compartment, a superheater tube sheet within said tubular member and superheating tubes in said tubular member in communication with said collecting space and said discharge connection for superheating the steam generated in said steam generating tubes, said superheating tubes terminating at vone end at said superheater tube'sheet.

3. In a steam generator, a casing having a steam collecting space at the upper part thereof and fluid inlet and discharge connections, spaced upper and lower tube sheets within said casing, a Wall connecting said tube sheets to provide a compartment within said casing, a conduit connected to said casing and closed at the lower end by a lowermost tube sheet, said conduit extending into and being in communication with the interior of said compartment, steam generating tubes connecting said lower and upper :tube sheets, steam superheating tubes connecting said upper and said lowermost tube sheets, and connections for supplying heating fluid to the interior of said compartment for contact with the eXteriors of said tubes.

4. In a steam generator, a vertically disposed casing having a steam collecting space at the upper part thereof and uid inlet and discharge connections, spaced upper and lower tube sheets within said casing, a wall connecting said tube sheets to provide a compartment within said casing, a conduit carried by said casing and extending into the interior of said compartment, a lowermost tube sheet for closing the lower end of said conduit, steam generating riser tubes connecting said lower and upper tube sheets, said wall being spaced from said casing to provide a downward circulating fluid path, steam superheating doWnfloW tubes within said conduit connecting said upper and said lowermost tube sheets and in communication with the steam collecting space, and connections for supplying fluid to the interior of said compartment for contact with the exteriors of said tubes.

5. In a steam generator, a vertically disposed cylindrical casing having a steam collecting space at the upper part thereof and uid inlet and discharge connections, spaced upper and lower tube sheets within said casing, a cylindrical wall spaced inwardly within said casing and connecting said tube sheets to provide a compartment within said casing, a conduit connected to the lower portion of said casing and extending upwardly through said lower tube sheet and in communication with the interior of said compartment, a lowermost tube sheet for closing the lower end of said conduit, steam generating riser tubes connecting said lower and upper tube sheets, steam superheating tubes in said conduit connecting said upper and said lowermost tube sheets and in communication with the steam collecting space, and connections for supplying heating Afluid to the interior of said compartment for ccntact with the exteriors of said tubes.

6. In a steam generator, a vertically disposed cylindrical casing having a steam collecting space at the upper part thereof and low pressure fluid inlet and discharge connections, spaced upper and lower tube sheets within said casing, a cylindrical wall spaced inwardly within said casing and connecting said tube sheets to provide a high pressure compartment Within said casing, a conduit connected to the lower portion of said casing and extending upwardly through said lower tube sheet and in communication with the interior of said compartment, a lowermost tube sheet for closing the lower end of said conduit, steam generating riser tubes connecting said lower and upper tube sheets, steam superheating tubes in said conduit connecting said upper `and said lowermost tube sheets and in communication with the steam collecting space, and connections for supplying high pressure heating fluid to the interior of said compartment for contact with the exteriors of said tubes.

7. In a steam generator, a vertically disposed cylindrical casing having a steam collecting space at the upper part thereof and low pressure fluid inlet and discharge connections, spaced upper and lower tube sheets within said casing, a cylindrical wall spaced inwardly within said casing and connecting said tube sheets to provide a high pressure compartment within said casing, a central conduit for supporting said compartment and in communication with the interior of said compartment, a lowermost tube sheet for closing the lower end `of said conduit, steam generating tubes connecting said lower and upper tube sheets, steam superheatin-g tubes in said conduit connecting said upper and said lowermost tube sheets and in communication with the steam collecting space, connections for supplying high pressure heating uid to the interior of said compartment for contact with the exteriors of said tubes, and sliding connections between the wall of said com' partment and said casing.

JOHN PHILLIPS BADENHAUSEN. 

